Jockey Velazquez injures rib, wrist

Jockey John Velazquez fractured rib and chipped bone in his
right wrist one day after winning the $1 million Wood Memorial
aboard undefeated Verrazano.

Velazquez was removed from the track on a stretcher after he was
dumped in the seventh race at Aqueduct on Sunday. His mount, Katie
Malone, stumbled after running up the heels of a rival. She fell
heavily, unseating Velazquez, but was able to regain her feet and
was walked off the track.

Velazquez was taken to a hospital for what was thought to be a
shoulder injury. The New York Racing Association updated his
condition later, saying he would not be kept overnight.

The timing is bad for Velazquez, who is the regular rider of
Verrazano and Florida Derby winner Orb, two of the leading
contenders for the Kentucky Derby on May 4.